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Review Series - Rationale and Practical Method for Lifestyle Modification

Practical and personal education of dietary therapy in hypertensive patients

Hypertension Research volume 43, pages 6–12 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

The guidelines for the management of hypertension by the Japanese Society of Hypertension (JSH2019) defined blood pressure (BP) levels of 130–139/80–89 mmHg as “elevated blood pressure”. The JSH2019 also revised the target level of BP control to a lower level. Thus, lifestyle modifications are quite important regardless of the use of antihypertensive drugs. Among the lifestyle modifications, salt reduction is most important, especially among East Asian people, who still consume a significant amount of salt. Since the awareness of salt reduction may not necessarily lead to actual salt reduction, the assessment of individual salt intake is essential when members of the medical staff provide practical guidance regarding salt reduction. The evaluation methods of salt intake are classified as the assessment of dietary contents and the measurement of urinary sodium (Na) excretion. Since highly reliable methods, such as the measurement of 24-h urinary Na excretion, are not convenient in practical clinical settings, the combination of the assessment of dietary contents using questionnaires and the estimation of salt intake using spot urine is recommended as a practical evaluation procedure. Repeated assessment of salt intake and practical guidance from dieticians are useful for long-term adherence to salt reduction. The Japanese Society of Hypertension Salt Reduction Committee began to certify flavorful foods as being low in salt content in 2013. More than 200 products have been certified as of April 2019. The utilization of these products is expected to aid in the salt reduction of hypertensive individuals as well as the Japanese general population.

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  1. Steel Memorial Yawata Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan

    Takuya Tsuchihashi

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Correspondence to Takuya Tsuchihashi.

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Tsuchihashi, T. Practical and personal education of dietary therapy in hypertensive patients. Hypertens Res 43, 6–12 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41440-019-0340-5

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